Conyers said his legacy will not be affected. He has denied any sexual misconduct.

“My legacy can’t be compromised or diminished in any way by what we’re going through now,” he said. “This, too, shall pass. I want you to know that my legacy will continue through my children.”

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, read a statement from Conyers on the House floor after his radio interview that he notified House Speaker Paul Ryan, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder of his retirement.

“Given the totality of the circumstance, of not being afforded the right of due process in conjunction with current health conditions, and to preserve my legacy and good name, I’m retiring. I hope my retirement will be viewed in the larger perspective of my record of service as I enter a new chapter,” Lee said the statement read.

On Nov. 21, the House Ethics Committee began investigating the allegations against Conyers. The panel declined to comment on the status of its investigation on Tuesday. The committee doesn’t have jurisdiction over former House members.

Conyers said he is endorsing his son John Conyers III to fill his seat.

John Conyers Jr. is the first high-profile national political figure to fall in a wave of public sexual harassment allegations across the country.

A congressman since 1965, he was the longest-serving member of the House, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and a civil rights icon. He was the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee before he stepped down from it last week.

A dozen House Democrats called on Conyers to step down as Congress looked into sexual misconduct allegations against him. Pelosi said he should resign, calling the allegations "serious, disappointing and very credible."

Last week Reed said Conyers refused to be "forced out of office."

At least five women have accused Conyers of sexual harassment and inappropriate touching.

AP

In this Nov. 1, 2014, file photo, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., speaks at Wayne State University in Detroit.

As recently as yesterday, a new sexual harassment accusation against him was made public.

Elisa Grubbs, a staffer for Conyers from 2001 to 2013, alleged in an affidavit dated Dec. 3 released by her lawyer Monday that he “inappropriately touched” her in church and that she witnessed him sexually harassing other female staffers. She also accused him of “regularly” undressing in front of his staff.

The first allegation came to light on Nov. 20, with news that Conyers’ office paid a female aide over $27,000 to quietly settle a wrongful dismissal complaint in 2015. The woman later identified herself as Marion Brown on NBC’s “Today.”

“Some of the things he did were — it was sexual harassment, violating — violating my body, propositioning me, inviting me to hotels with the guys discussing business. Propositioning me to, you know — for sex,” she said in a Nov. 30 interview on the show.

Conyers acknowledged that his office settled a harassment complaint involving a former staffer but denied the allegations against him.

Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images FILE

Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., walks down the House steps after a vote in the Capitol on Sept. 27, 2016.

ABC News obtained court filings last Wednesday referring to a federal complaint filed this year by his former scheduler who alleged “sexual advances in the form of inappropriate comments and touches.” She dropped her case after the judge rejected her request to keep the complaint sealed to protect her privacy.

Last week another former staffer, Deanna Maher, accused Conyers of making unwanted sexual advances toward her in the 1990s. She alleged that he touched her inappropriately on at least three occasions, including once in 1999, when he allegedly placed his hands underneath her dress.

Melanie Sloan, a lawyer who worked with Conyers on the Judiciary Committee, accused him of being “increasingly abusive” to her — behavior that she said was not “sexual harassment” but “sexual discrimination.”

Ian Conyers, 29, the grandson of John Conyers Jr.’s brother, confirmed the news of the congressman’s retirement during a phone call with ABC News early Tuesday. Ian Conyers, a Michigan state senator, said that he would also seek his granduncle’s seat. The New York Times was the first to report that news.

CComments

Anybodysguesswhy

2017-12-07T11:19:59

His Son says he did not violently Stab the woman, or chase her and body slam her, repeatedly. Why did the woman feel the need,then, to get a Restraining Order if his version of the Story is true? A restraining order costs Money, and most people that break-up, overwhelmingly, do not need restraining orders. But, apparently Conners' sons girlfriend did, after the Stabbing incident. I don't see why she would waste the money, if she didn't feel that her Safety was in Danger.

Rep. John Conyers Jr. took the least unpalatable path forward available to him given the seriousness of the accusations he faced. With a decades-long record of service in Congress and with his work promoting equality for minorities he achieved a lot in his time in public office. But the alarming number of reported incidents of abuse of aides and other women made continuing as congressman insupportable. By endorsing his son, John Conyers III, as his replacement, Mr. Conyers Jr. sadly perpetuates the "drain the swamp" ethos so current now. The voters of Michigan's 13th congressional district deserve a fresh voice unencumbered by association with a now regrettably tarnished and disappointing legacy.

What is sick is the way he wants to continue his legacy (of perversity no doubt) by having his son succeed him He could have stepped aside with dignity but that statement was revolting in the way he admitted his intent to continue to wield power through his 27 year old son. Zero class

So he 'retires' instead of 'resigns'. Sure must be some retirement money involved with this play on words. He 'retired' as soon as his past caught up with him. Now the taxpayers can pay for his 'retirement' . We get it in the rear all the time with these crooked politicians.

I don't want to blame children for the sins of the parents, but his mother is a felon convicted of soliciting and taking bribes while on the Detroit City Council.His father is accused by multiple people of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual discrimination as well as misusing public funds and resources.His own comments at times have pretty much racist rants blaming everything on white people.Do we really need another Conyers in public office?